Christian

Dustbin Machine Gun Turret- Now completed
 
Hope did does not look like a toilet anymore.
 
I have just added in a CMK MG 15 Machine Gun.
 

 

 

 
Christian

Introduction
I will be attempting to build a 1/32 scale Ju 52 “Schmitti Modelbau” vac-u-form kit. This is my first attempt at building a Vac kit. The kit has been out of production since the 80’s, I was luckily enough to get my hands on one; thanks to Radu.
 
I will be also using a lot of techniques that Iain has done on his 1/32 “Schmitti Modelbau” kit on the Brit Modeller website.
 
I hope you enough reading my journey as I attempt to build a 1/32 Ju 52.
 
The Ju 52 “Schmitti Modelbau” Kit
 
Below are images of the vac kit.
 

 

 

 
The kit will require a lot of scratch building, such as the cockpit, loading area, machine gun turrets, as well the wing spars and internal buck heads.
 
There are some plastic pieces that are missing from the vac kit on the wings and on the fuselage, where the plastic has broken due to age of the kit or the plastic being too thing.
 
I think “I may have bitten more that I can chew.”
 
Since this is my first vac kit; I will start on the small parts that have no damage and require no repair.
 
Wheels
I start by marking out the 6 wheel halves with my red ‘sharpie’ marker. I then use my exacto knife with a number 11 blade to cut out the wheel sharps. I hold the knife at a 45 degree angle.
 

 
Placing a sheet of wet and dry sand paper (240 grit) taped onto the table; I then begin to sand the halves flat. The plastic is very thin and sanding goes quickly.
 

 
Once the two halves match; I remove the red pen mark by using Methylated spirits and wash in warm soapy water, I then fill both halves with a 2 part model resin. If the resin is poured too high I then sand the resin flush with the outer edge of the wheel. The reasons for the 2 part model resin, is to increase the strength of the model parts as the plastic is very thin and to increase the gluing surface area.
 

 

 
Both wheel halves are then glue together using “Zap A Gap CA” glue. Then fill the gaps with putty and wet sanded with 240 grit paper.
 

She looks great mate.
 
Love the paint job.
 
Christian

Hi Matt,
 
What a difference a paint makes to a project!
 
Sorry for all the questions just wondering what techniques and materials were used.
 
Was all the interior parts glued in when you paint them, ie. Throttle box and levers?
 
Or did paint them separately then glue them in?
 
Is the rear machine gunner turret a total scratch build?
 
How did you make the guns and the padding on the back of the gunner’s chair?
 
Looks Great,
 
Christian
 
 

1/35 Captured CWT Ford F15 Truck… continued
 

 
The CWT Truck painted, washed and used power pigments. Below are the finished results.
 

 
Note, smoke stains have been added on the left side of the tray only, as the exhaust is on the left side.
 

 

 

 

 
Unfortunately the F15 is not finished yet as I am waiting for aftermarket 1/35 Black Dog CWT stowage kit to arrive. Below is an image of the kit looks like. I also have a get a Italian driver.
 

This is the last of my completed builds. From now on the build and the updates will move a lot slower as I need build the next models.
 
The next models to build will be:
 
·         8 x scratch built palm trees. It takes me a week to finish one, due to the drying time.
 
·         Scratch built 1/35 cobblestone for road, cutter and foot path. I think I will need hundreds of these cobblestones. To complete the two lane road. I only have 1 mould set for full and half cobblestones. I think it is going to take a long time. Plus I have never done this before.
 
·         Scratch build a multi-level diorama board. Should be easy to do.
 
·         Model Victoria, Resin Italian Motor Cycle and rider, called a Gilera LTE 500 Con Bersagliere
 
·         Tamiya M13/40 kit with Black Dog Stowage kit and Allarmi tank crews
 
·         Redoing mini figure in the AB 40 and Tamiya figure in M13/40.
 
I am estimating another 6 months in this build.
 
Thanks for reading.
 
Christian

1/35 Captured CWT Trailer
 
Next in the build process; is a supply trailer and truck.
 
There are a few resin 1/35 Italian trucks and trailers kits in the market place, such as Model Victoria, Criel Model and Italian Kits. However they are a little bit too expensive for me.
 
Hence I have decided to build a Mirror Model 1/35 CWT trailer. The kit comes with 2 trailers. This trailer was pulled by CWT Ford F15 trucks, which the Italian captured and used in North African campaign.
 
Below is a photos of the trailers kits (Mirror Models) and aftermarket load (Resin Cast). The Resin Cast model kit is good value for money; as it gives you 3 different payloads.
 

 
Below are images of the various stages of the trailer built.
 

 

 

 

 

 
Added on 2 additional Jerry cans; from the AB 40 kit.
 
Below are photos of the completed trailer and payload.
 

 

 

 

1/35 Scale First Look at Italian Armoured Conveyor
 
Below is the original photo that inspired this build.
 

 
Below are images of the completed 1/35 Italeri AB 40 and 1/35 Tamiya M13/40 with 2 scratch built palm trees.
 
Unfortunately, I have not taken progress photos of build the palm trees, however I have 8 more trees to build and will show how they are built, for those how are interested.
 
Photos below:
 

 

 

 

 

 
More updates to come,
 
Christian

1/35 Italeri AB 40
 
Below are images of the completed 1/35 Italeri AB 40 with addition Tamiya Jerry cans + fuel barrel + track (from the Tamiya 75/40 kit). The kit has little bit of model putty filling gaps, not a great fitting kit.
 
I have put in a 1/35 Mini Art figure; Italian Tank Crew. Still have to paint it. The Mini Art heads are not very good. I have ordered another aftermarket heads.
 
Photos below:
 

 

 

 

 
More updates to come,
 
Christian

1/35 Tamiya M13/40 Medium tank- First Tank
 
Below are images of the completed 1/35 Tamiya M13/40 with addition Tamiya Jerry cans + fuel barrel + track (from the Tamiya 75/40 kit). Plus 1/35 Royal Model aftermarket resin M13/40 tank stowage kit.
 

 

 

 

 

 
More updates to come,
 
Christian

Thanks guys.
 
Once I finish the Italian diorama and get the paint process down pat, I plan to go back to this build
 
Regards,
 
Chris 

Great job 

Hi Loic,
Very impressive construction of the wing!
Especially with the different dihedral in the middle of the wing!
Now I understand why you cut the wing in halve.
All the little plastic you have added must be making the wing structure very strong.
I am surprise you do not have a contour gauge in you tool kit. I could not survive with my trust contour gauge in building a vac kit.
Well Christmas is on its way; maybe Santa Claus will give you a contour gauge for Christmas.
Speak to you later,
Christian